“The main battle is for the consciousness of the American people. It’s the biggest ballgame they will ever play. And it is being played for keeps between cultural outlaws and the repressive forces of military police court authority worshippers.”

“I’d just like to see thinking come back in style. I haven’t heard a new idea in eight years. Let’s get ordinary people arguing and talking again. I want to trigger new circuits in their nervous systems. That’s the philosopher’s job and I am the most important philosopher at this time.”

“As always, 90 percent of the people who do or do not use any kind of drug, do so stupidly. But you cannot ban drugs and you cannot have a drug-free society. If that’s what you want, then go to China. The same people who want a drug-free society want a sex-free society. If you want a drug-free and sex-free society (waves his arm), then go to China.”

UPDATE: It seems my reading comprehension is as good as my spelling. Reader Thirtyseven points out that G. Gordon Liddy was Leary’s debate buddy. Next time I promise I’ll do better than scan the Leary quotes and recklessly hit post.

... Bageant was just hanging out with Hunter S. Thompson in Colorado when that debate tour swung through.

Actually, Leary was debating with G. Gordon Liddy, Bageant was just hanging out with Hunter S. Thompson in Colorado when that debate tour swung through.